Stephen Downes works for the National Research Council of Canada where he has served as a Senior Researcher, based in Moncton, New Brunswick, since 2001. Affiliated with the Learning and Collaborative Technologies Group, Institute for Information Technology, Downes specializes in the fields of online learning, new media, pedagogy and philosophy.

Downes is perhaps best known for his daily nesletter, OLDaily, which is distributed by web, email and RSS to thousands of subscribers around the world. He has published numerous articles both online and in print, including The Future of Online Learning (1998), Learning Objects (2000), Resource Profiles (2003), and E-Learning 2.0 (2005). He is a popular speaker, appearing at hundreds of events around the world over the last fifteen years ( see his website).

Connectivism, Online Learning, and the MOOCAlthough MOOCs and Connectivism appear to be the result of recent innovation, neither has emerged from a vacuum. The three elements in the title of this talk, Connectivism, Online Learning, and the MOOC, relate to three core elements in a learning society: knowledge, learning and community. This talk will draw out aspects of each of these three elements and relate them specifically to the development and design of MOOCs today, and in particular to network-based MOOCs (or cMOOCs).

Pioneers of the MOOCMaking Sense of MOOCs: Musings in a Maze of Myth, Paradox and Possibility by Sir John Daniel, a fellow at the Korea National Open University and Education Master at DeTao Masters Academy, China provides an excellent exploration of the MOOC. According to Sir John Daniel, "Cormier and Bryan Alexander coined the acronym to describe an open online course at the University of Manitoba designed by George Siemens and Stephen Downes" (See article).

Teaching with Moodle is a self-paced 4-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for teachers and anyone interested in teaching online using Moodle, WizIQ, and other web technologies. The course will take place in the month of June 2013. The MOOC is in the spirt of open education and is completely free.

Participants will become acquainted with Moodle as a course and learning management system. They will learn how Moodle can be used in fully online, blended learning, and the flipped class. The course will include both asynchronous (not dependent on time) and synchronous (time dependent) elements. The course is self-paced with ongoing discussions (facilitator and technical support available), live online classes (recordings), videos, and other relevant content.

Participants will be able to ask questions in advance and throughout the course through the following google drive document. The live online classes will be recorded for future reference, so don't worry if you cannot attend or if you'd like to review the content.

Live Online Classes on WizIQ

There will be 5 live online classes. The live online synchronous classes will take place on WizIQ on Saturdays at 10 AM (EST). Please check your time zone (June 1) for the exact time. Recordings will be available.

Participants will engage with the facilitator, each other, and the content. For further information, please contact Dr. Nellie Deutsch.

About the Host

Integrating Technology

Doctor of Education
TORONTO, Canada

Nellie Deutsch is a Canadian English teacher, researcher, writer, speaker, and e-learning specialist. Nellie is faculty member at the University of Phoenix and Atlantic University where she teaches leadership in the MA transpersonal studies.

Nellie earned her doctorate in education and educational leadership with a specialization in curriculum and instruction. Her dissertation research (available on Amazon and ProQuest) focused on instructor experiences with integrating technology in blended learning courses in higher education around the world. Nellie provides teacher training on how to use Moodle and WizIQ. She is also an academic writing coach and a mentor to teachers around the globe.

Dr. Deutsch has written chapters on the use of technology and research (Sage) in textbooks and peer reviews articles and books. Nellie is on the AACE EdMedia executive and program committee, IATEFL YLTSIG committee, and on TESOL HEIS committee.